Overview
- Taiwan’s Air Force confirmed it has canceled the C-130H ‘Taiwushan-3’ upgrade and intends to procure 10 C-130J transports from the United States, with projects still requiring formal approval and funding.
- Military officials told CNA the upgrade was shelved due to costly software integration, required structural reinforcement, and rising risk from decades-old aircraft.
- The service plans a high–low mix in which C-130Js handle night and other demanding tasks while C-130Hs are retained for routine transport after limited domestic upgrades.
- The current fleet includes 19 C-130H aircraft first delivered in 1984, underscoring maintenance and sustainment challenges associated with 40-year-old airframes.
- The C-130J brings more powerful engines, a digital cockpit, reduced crew needs, and improved short-field performance, and the decision is framed as Taiwan tracks increased PLA Navy activity, including seven vessels reported near the island on February 8.